When handling specimens, performing or assisting with diagnostic procedures, or caring for patients, it is important for all healthcare workers to protect and always take care of themselves first. Presume that all patients have HBV, HCV, HIV, or other potential pathogens, and practice standard precautions consistently. Healthcare personnel are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including HBV, HCV, and HIV. Exposures occur through needlesticks or cuts from other sharp instruments contaminated with an infected patient’s blood or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth, or skin with a patient’s blood. Important factors that influence the overall risk for occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens include the number of infected individuals in the patient population and the type and number of blood contacts. Most exposures do not result in infection. Following a specific exposure, the risk for infection may vary with factors such as pathogen involved, type of exposure, amount of blood involved in the exposure, and amount of virus in the patient’s blood at the time of exposure.

Use special care when collecting, handling, packaging, transporting, storing, and receiving specimens. Practice needle safety. Initial observations and specimen handling in the laboratory are to be performed under a laminar flow hood and protective clothing, which includes, but is not limited to, gloves, gowns, facemasks or shields, and eye protection. These same precautions prevail in the performance of invasive diagnostic procedures. Evidence-based practices for infection control and prevention are directed toward hygiene, intravenous therapy, nutrition and the gastrointestinal (GI) system, the environment, and treatment with medications.